Dear Editor,

As history has shown us over and over, times of crisis tend to bring out both the best and the worst in people, and we are certainly witnessing this here in America as the impact of this COVID-19 pandemic progressively upends our everyday “normal” lives in so many ways.

We can surely be humbled and proud of the selfless courage and compassion of those serving on the front lines to save lives and keep America running as much as possible. We willingly make the sacrifices necessary to save the most lives and bring this pandemic to its end as quickly as possible – which will, in turn, allow the American economy to get back on its feet as soon as possible.

We choose to embrace these “better angels of our nature” in order to save countless and priceless human lives. We understand that we truly are all in this together, and must work in concert to beat this virus and minimize the fatalities and suffering it is bringing into our lives. This is something we can be deeply proud of – the best of America.

And then we see “protesters” wielding their guns and Confederate flags as they loudly rail against the restrictions on their “freedom” needed to bring this pandemic under control.

And we see a President inciting them and egging them on, as he can see things only through the lens of his own narrow and short-sighted self-interest, driven by his narcissism and desperate need to be re-elected, with seemingly no grasp of (or concern about?) the fact that recklessly pulling back such measures will inevitably result in more outbreaks and unnecessary deaths. A leader who constantly looks for others to blame and attack for his own failings and missteps, and clearly cares more about his “ratings” than about saving lives and actually serving the American people.

So, as we all watch this American melodrama unfold, witnessing both the best and the worst of our collective and individual human nature play out before us, may we all strive to do what we know is right – and to remember and hold accountable those who chose during this crisis to selfishly serve their own interests at the expense of others come this November. With this election, perhaps the most important of our lifetimes, we the voters will decide what kind of America we are. May we choose wisely.

Respectfully submitted,

Dale E. Buonocore,

Warren